Every day of our lives we are exposed to countless hazards.
One of the most devastating accidents to occur is fire.
In Brunswick Place, there are two aspects to fire protection. First, there are the pro-active devices and systems that are integrated into the building. Second, there is the human protection system - The Fire Warden Program.
This manual has been developed to familiarize the Fire Wardens with the building fire protective devices and systems and with the duties and responsibilities of Wardens, including specifically, fire evacuation procedures.
The Fire Warden Program is organized to ensure the safety of all occupants within Brunswick Place and it should be treated with the same seriousness and concern afforded your everyday work.
Don Pritchard
Chief Fire Warden
A) General Synopsis
B) Brunswick Place
A) Chief Fire Fighting Officer
B) Chief Fire Warden
C) Deputy Chief Fire Warden
D) Fire Warden
E) Deputy Fire Wardens
A) General Synopsis
B) Fire Warden Duties - Fire On Your Floor
C) Fire Warden Duties - Fire Other Than On Your Floor
A) General Synopsis
When Brunswick Place was designed, a great deal of attention was given to making it a safe place in which to work. Of all hazards in large buildings, fire is the most serious and everything must be done to ensure that a fire is detected and extinguished before it endangers life. The building, and its equipment, are designed and constructed with this in mind.
Brunswick Place is essentially "Fire Proof". The structure is fire resistant to a high degree, and it is most unlikely that a fire would involve more than one floor. There is, however, a considerable amount of combustible material present in most offices, and a relatively minor fire could create a good deal of smoke. This is the real danger, and our fire safety procedures have been worked out with this in mind.
Brunswick Place differs from many buildings in that it has its Security Staff on duty twenty-four hours a day throughout every day of the year. There is an operating engineer on Duty at all times. These personnel are trained to take the proper action in case of fire or any other emergency. This can be extremely important to the safety of life and property.
Installed in the Main Control Room, and duplicated in the Security/Operations Centre, are the various alarm panels. On receiving an alarm, Halifax Developments Limited Security Staff immediately determines the exact location of the fire and transmits this information to the Halifax Fire Department by direct line, saving valuable time.
The Fire Department, using the information received from Halifax Developments Limited Security Staff, goes to the scene of the fire, and determines its extent and what has to be done to prevent injury to occupants. The officer in charge then transmits this information by radio to another officer stationed at the control cabinet of the Fire Panel.
The first concern of the Fire Department and Halifax Developments Limited Security Staff is for the safety of life. Only after this has been assured will the appropriate measures be taken to extinguish the fire.
The Fire Warden must have complete knowledge of the routine that will be adopted in case of a fire and determination to see that they are followed. These instructions are intended to provide the information to the Wardens. If anything has been omitted or requires clarification, please contact the Chief Fire Warden.
B) BRUNSWICK PLACE
The fire alarm system consists of a two-stage alarm, the first stage alerts that an alarm has been activated, the second stage indicates evacuation. There is a five minute delay between each stage that enables the fire fighters to arrive and begin assessing the situation.
Each stage of the alarm has a very distinctive sound and is easily identified. The alert rate for the alarm is an Electronic bell Tone sounding every three seconds. The evacuation rate is an Electronic Bell Tone sounding twice per second.
It is obvious that a fire should be reported, and an alarm sent to the Halifax Fire Department with the least possible delay. Each floor of the Building has several fire alarm pull stations, located near the fire stairwell exits, and these are connected directly to the Halifax Developments Limited Security Headquarters. When the buildings are unoccupied, we rely on the very sensitive smoke detectors, and periodic patrols by Halifax Developments Limited Security staff to detect fires.
The Fire Warden Program is co-ordinated and administered by the Halifax Developments Limited Security Department.
A) Chief Fire Fighting Officer
The senior fire fighting official from the Halifax Fire Department dispatched to a fire alarm in Brunswick Place, takes complete charge of the situation. In the event of a fire, he/she has full responsibility and authority regarding the safety of all building occupants.
B) Chief Fire Warden
1. To be appointed by Halifax Developments Limited.
2. To be responsible for fire safety of ALL building personnel. In the event of a fire or other incidents, to advise the Halifax Fire Department of fires and other designated authorities of other incidents. Usually, the safety of personnel will mean the safe evacuation of personnel to a safe location in the building.
3. To give effect to No. 2 above, to co-ordinate a Fire Warden Service within the building and to establish fire orders and procedures and co-ordinate training activities.
4. To be directly responsible for the appointment of other personnel as may be required.
5. To establish liaison with Chief Building Wardens of neighbouring buildings in order that mutual assistance can be preplanned.
6. To maintain liaison activities with the Fire Marshall and where necessary, with Civil Defense Organisations.
C) Deputy Chief Fire Warden
1. To be appointed by the Chief Fire Warden on approval of Halifax Developments Limited.
2. To act as Chief Fire Warden in his absence and to assist him in his duties and responsibilities.
D) Fire Warden
1. To be appointed by Halifax Developments Limited.
2. To be responsible for the safety of ALL personnel on their floor in the event of fire or other incidents occurring during normal working hours, and for advising the Chief Fire Warden of all such incidents that may occur. Usually, the safety of personnel will mean the safe evacuation of personnel.
3. Establish a contingency plan for additional Deputy Fire Wardens to assume responsibility during after-hours shift work that may operate on their floor on a regular basis.
4. Familiarize themselves with all evacuation routes and the location of fire alarm pull stations on their floor.
5. Establish a contingency plan to evacuate disables people or people with physical health limitations that may preclude them from walking down several flights of stairs in the event of a fire. It is suggested two-able bodied co-workers near the physically impaired person be assigned to render assistance as required. Periodic surveys of personnel should be conducted to determine who may require this assistance.
6. To be responsible to make periodic checks of their floor, looking for fire hazards or unsafe conditions of any kind, and either rectify the situation or report it accordingly. This will include a visual check of fire hose cabinets and portable fire extinguishers to ensure inspection tags are in-date. If you notice any hazards or unsafe conditions of any kind, please click on the "Fire Protection System" link at the end of this manual and complete the form which will be forwarded to our OPS Centre immediately. (NOTE: This is also done by Halifax Developments Limited security staff on a regular basis.)
7. To be responsible to ensure all personnel working on their floor are apprised of Fire Regulations and Evacuation Procedure to be followed in event of a Fire Alarm or a Fire Drill Exercise.
Also, apprise personnel of Fire Instructions including who are the Fire Wardens and Deputy Fire Wardens for their floors. If there is going to be a change as to whom the Fire Warden and Deputy Fire Warden is, please click on the "Fire Warden Replacement" link at the end of this manual and complete the form.
8. To be responsible that new employees, during their orientation, are briefed of Fire Regulations and Evacuation Procedure as well as Fire Instructions including who are the Fire Wardens and Deputy Fire Wardens for their floor.
E) Deputy Fire Wardens
1. To be appointed by the Fire Wardens.
2. To assist the Fire Warden in carrying out his/her duties and responsibilities and to act on his/her behalf in his/her absence.
A) General Synopsis
Brunswick Place presents two main fire alarm possibilities to be recognized.
1. The first is a fire that occurs in a working space and presents immediate danger to personnel within Fire On Your Floor. (See SECTION "B" following).
2. The second is a fire that occurs elsewhere in the building, and the only indication on your floor will be the sounding of an alarm - Fire Other Than On Your Floor. (See SECTION "B" following.)
The following procedures are to be implemented by floor wardens, and they are to see that all personnel strictly adhere to the procedures.
The mere thought of being present in an area where fire had broken out, let alone hearing a "Fire Alarm", can be the beginning of some personnel panicking, fainting, running, etc., and every effort should be made by the Fire Wardens and their Deputies to overcome these probabilities.
To assist personnel to react in an orderly, calm manner, it is important that all personnel are informed of the Fire Regulations and Regulations and Evacuation Procedure as well as the Fire Instructions in order that they know what is expected of them during an emergency, and also from whom they will be receiving guidance and instructions. In order to minimize most of the above mentioned emotional reactions, it is imperative that:
a) The Fire Wardens and Deputy Fire Wardens must clearly understand their duties and know exactly what they have to accomplish quickly and calmly.
b) A meeting of all personnel on each floor should be held, and the details of the procedures and instructions explained to them to ensure they know how to react under the two main circumstances under which an alarm will be heard on a floor.
B) Fire Warden Duties - Fire On Your Floor
1. The Fire Warden is to ensure a fire alarm pull station has been activated after fire or smoke has been discovered.
2. The Fire Warden nearest the fire area is to supervise immediate evacuation of personnel from the area to the nearest stairwell exit.
3. Fire Wardens will immediately order evacuation of all personnel, directing them down fire stairwells to exit the building. All personnel are to remain at a safe location after evacuation until further instructions are received from the Chief Fire Fighting Officer and/or from the Fire Wardens.
4. As soon as possible, after evacuation of personnel has commenced, the Fire Wardens are to check all accessible rooms including washrooms, conference rooms, offices, etc., to ensure all personnel are evacuated. Fire Wardens shall be the last to evacuate and are to ensure the stairwell exit doors they are responsible for are closed after entering the fire stairwell.
5. The Fire Warden, prior to exiting the building, is to immediately communicate with and advise the Chief Fire Warden:
a) Floor No. _______ has completely evacuated.
b) Give available information on exact location and extent of the fire.
c) Request First Aid, if necessary
d) Persons with physical limitations will require evacuation.
6. Deputy Fire Wardens shall assist the Fire Wardens in carrying out their duties and act on behalf of the Fire Wardens during his/her absence.
7. Fire Wardens, ensure persons with physical limitations requiring assistance are safely evacuated.
8. On arrival at an evacuation site, all personnel are to be guided by the instructions of the Fire Wardens and/or Deputy Fire Wardens for that floor.
9. ALWAYS STRESS NECESSITY TO REMAIN CALM, COOL, AND COLLECTED.
C) Fire Warden Duties - Fire Other Than On Your Floor
1. Immediately after the fire alarm sounds Wardens are to take up their stations at the stairwell exits and be prepared to evacuate personnel from the floor, if directed by the Chief Fire Fighting Officer or if the evacuation alarm sounds.
2. All other personnel are to remain at their places of work and await further evacuation instructions from the Fire Wardens or the Chief Fighting Officer.
Please click on the links below to fill out the corresponding form:
Fire Warden Replacement
Fire Protection System